What is the meaning of Revelation 17:4? Dressed in purple and scarlet “The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet” (Revelation 17:4). Purple and scarlet were costly dyes in the ancient world, signaling power, wealth, and royal pretension. Yet here the colors are worn by the harlot Babylon, not a faithful queen. • Revelation 18:16 shows the same colors tied to Babylon’s opulent fall. • Daniel 5:7 gives purple to a pagan ruler; John 19:2 cloaks the mocked Christ in scarlet—both scenes expose counterfeit authority. • Isaiah 1:18 contrasts scarlet sin with cleansing; the woman prefers the stain. Together these texts reveal a dazzling exterior masking rebellion against God. Adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls “…and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls.” The lavish jewelry deepens the picture of seductive splendor. • Exodus 28:17–21 arrays Israel’s high priest with gems to serve God; Babylon hijacks that imagery for self-glory. • Revelation 18:12 inventories treasures the city hoarded before judgment. • 1 Peter 3:3 warns believers not to rely on external adornment. • Matthew 13:45–46 values a single pearl over all else—here, pearls serve empty vanity. The woman’s riches invite admiration even while they spotlight her spiritual bankruptcy. Holding a golden cup full of abominations “She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations…” A gold vessel suggests purity and worship (Numbers 7:84–85), but its contents betray its bearer. • Jeremiah 51:7 calls Babylon “a golden cup in the hand of the Lord” that intoxicated nations. • Luke 11:39; Matthew 23:27 illustrate clean exteriors hiding corruption—Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees mirrors this scene. • Revelation 18:6 says God will make her “drink” double judgment from the same cup she mixed. Evil is packaged attractively, luring kings and peoples to share in defilement. The impurities of her sexual immorality “…and the impurities of her sexual immorality.” Scripture often links sexual sin with idolatry—physical acts picture spiritual unfaithfulness. • Hosea 1–3 portrays Israel’s adultery against the Lord. • James 4:4 calls friendship with the world “adultery.” • Revelation 14:8 and 17:2 show nations “drunk” on Babylon’s immorality. Babylon forges alliances—political, economic, religious—that seduce humanity away from Christ, producing moral and spiritual pollution. summary Revelation 17:4 paints Babylon as dazzling, wealthy, and religiously persuasive, yet utterly corrupt. Her royal colors and costly jewels mimic legitimacy; her golden cup appears sacred; but every symbol is inverted, brimming with idolatry and immorality. The verse warns that what captivates the eyes can poison the soul, urging believers to discern true holiness beneath outward splendor and to resist any allegiance that rivals devotion to the Lamb. |
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